The Brassy Grunt (Microlepidotus brevipinnis) is a medium-sized marine fish found primarily in the eastern Pacific, ranging from southern California to Peru, including the Gulf of California and the Galapagos Islands. Recognizable by its brassy sheen and robust body, this species inhabits rocky reefs and coastal waters, where it forms schools and feeds on small invertebrates. The Brassy Grunt is not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries, but it is commonly caught by artisanal and subsistence fishers in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. These countries, particularly Mexico and Peru, are the top harvesters, where the fish is valued for local consumption and fresh markets. The fishing industry for Brassy Grunt is generally small-scale, relying on handlines and small nets, and the species is important for coastal communities rather than for export or industrial processing.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | 624 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.